New sewer treatment technology unlikely for Exit 4

RAYMOND — New sewage treatment plant technology mentioned at the Nov. 19 selectmen's meeting will probably not make it into Exit 4 development plans.

Sean Bourbeau

RAYMOND — New sewage treatment plant technology mentioned at the Nov. 19 selectmen's meeting will probably not make it into Exit 4 development plans.

Developer Elmer Pease told the board there was a cost benefit as well as an environmental benefit in reducing carbon emissions with a design different from the one planned locally. But the state has not yet certified the technology for water standards acceptability.

Pease said none of the new kind of plant exists on the East Coast, although there are a number of them on the West Coast.

Raymond residents approved a tax increment financing (TIF) program for the Exit 4 development last year. This program allows the tax revenue from Pease's development to go directly toward bond payments for a $12 million wastewater treatment plant instead of to the general tax base. The program was undertaken to encourage development in Raymond and eventually bring water and sewer service to town residents.

The development of Granite Meadows on Exit 4 will also include a 192-unit, six-story condominium complex. The retail space will consist of two to three buildings.

Town Manager Chris Rose said the state hasn't certified the technology being used at the treatment plant yet as far as its criteria for cleaning water is concerned.

He said by the time the technology is certified construction will probably have begun. Pease is overseeing the development of a sewer treatment plant using the advanced technology in Woodsville.

Rose said that plant will give the state a way to test if the new technology works.

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